READING Racers won the inaugural Southern Development League title on Monday night with a 20-16 win against their only remaining rivals for the championship, Kent Kestrels, at their Sittingbourne home.

In their first season back in speedway since 2008, the Racers remain unbeaten with two matches still to race.

Captain Nick Laurence was far more impressive than his five points suggested, while Racer for the night Taylor Hampshire was the star of the show, the 16-year-old scorching to a nine-point maximum.

Hampshire started by battling past Adam Portwood on the first lap in heat one, while his team-mate and fellow stand-in Alex Spooner almost snatched second place from Portwood on the line, just falling short but still putting the Berkshire side into an early two-point lead.

Laurence flew from the gate in heat two ahead of home hero Anders Rowe, with William O’Keefe holding third and looking set for another heat advantage.

But the 15-year-old Rowe showed his outstanding potential by passing Laurence before O’Keefe surrendered his point to James Laker.

With the scores level at 6-6, Portwood took his first win for Kent, but Laurence and O’Keefe settled in to share the race points ahead of Andrew Palmer and keep the scores even.

Heat four saw a tenacious first two bends from the two top boys Hampshire and Rowe, with the Racer winning the early exchange and keeping his composure to stay in front for the four laps.

With Spooner again taking third place ahead of Laker, Reading were back in front at 13-11.

The pressure started to build with the fifth and penultimate race as Kent knew they could not afford to fall further behind and Rowe continued his impressive form with a resounding win, but the Racers pair Spooner and O’Keefe again took the minor placings to keep their team in front going into the final and deciding contest.

With three points being enough for Reading to take the championship, Hampshire made no mistakes, outmuscling Portwood in the first few yards to storm out in front.

As the travelling Reading fans started to celebrate, skipper Laurence secured third place ahead of Laker and both riders held their nerve to earn their side a four-point win and a first league title since 1997.

The victorious pair celebrated on the track in true style with wheelies and donuts, as their fans made their way to the pits to congratulate them and send them out on their victory parade.

The Racers are in action at Plymouth this Friday against Weymouth, and await a date to face Plymouth, also in Devon to finish their fixtures and round off their successful return.